and human natures, met in this person, retaining their distinct characters, without confusion of substance? Mark iv. 38-41.

Is this union indissoluble, so that the human nature is still retained by the Son of God? Acts i. 9. Heb. vi. 20. Rev. vii. 17.

By what scriptures can we prove that this union, of the two natures, is according to the promises and prophecies, by which the great deliverer was revealed? Gen. iii. 15. Ps. viii. 3-6. Heb. ii. 6-9. Ps. lxxx. 17. Zech. xiii. 7. Is. ix. 6, 7. vii. 14.

How can we prove that this was for a covenant purpose? Is. xlii. 1. xlix. Phil. ii. 6–9.

Can we also prove that this arrangement is necessary for man's salvation, in order that favor should be extended, according to the first conditions proposed by Jehovah? 1 Cor. xv. 45. 57. Rom. v. 12-21. iii. 25. 26. Heb. ii. 14-18.

Does this mystery also open a way for union between Christ and the believer? John xv. 5. xvii. 19, 23.

Is it necessary that confession should be made of this doctrine in order to salvation? 1 John iv. 2. 2 John i. 7.

In pausing, upon these interesting revelations of our Redeemer's grace, we, should be engaged in seeking the corresponding, individual, experience. Certainly it is calculated to stir up our gratitude, and to raise our admiration of this Holy one of God; and a deep sense of our debt,

and obligation, should quicken our love to His name. How unutterable is this condescension! how justly might it excite the amazement of angels! and how worthy of our highest hosannas is this work of grace-for, "verily, He took not on him the nature of angels, but He took on Him the seed of Abraham: " fallen spirits, higher in original dignity, were passed by, and fallen man made the subject of redemption !—

We may lift up our affections, also, with confidence, since we have such a Saviour, sympathetic, loving, and patient, who has commended to us the unsearchable love of the divine nature, in such a form of lowliness and peace. We have read that "like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear Him: but now we look upon the manifestation of the fact, and find it true, in all its utmost extent, in Christ. With such a revelation before us, there is no room for doubt or fear in the midst of all the evils of this life, we may still trust in the name of our Lord, and may ever approach to Him, and bring our burdens of grief to his feet. His sympathies are engaged, along with His power, to help us in every time of need; and having Himself passed through temptation, want, hunger, weariness, conflict, and death, He is prepared to extend to us, in such hours, the very supply that our necessity asks. We should turn all our discoveries of Christ's glorious character, into an experimental application to our own souls; and in no

In the offering up of

thing are we more continually exhorted by the Lord, than to trust Him in every necessity, and to cast our care upon Him. Here is infinite strength to support the government that is laid upon His shoulder; and here are unsearchable sympathies, that can never be exhausted, however many miseries and wants make demand upon the store. He is touched with the feeling of our infirmities, let us therefore come boldly to his throne. prayer to Jesus, we should always endeavour to unite in our view this twofold nature: we address the Godhead, otherwise our supplications would be idolatrous: but we reach the Godhead, in its power, grace, and willingness, through the manhood; and by virtue of that anointing, which is upon the Son of God, as the Christ and the High Priest, we have access through Him into the fulness of that source, from whence all our blessings flow. Thus it is that Jehovah pours down mercy upon us, through the human nature, in which the covenant conditions were fulfilled; and thus it should be, that we rise to Jehovah, and ask, and seek those mercies, which are provided for our souls in Him. This we shall further see in the remaining part of the Article, to which we may now profitably turn.

By this remaining statement of the work of Christ, we are required to believe, that the great end, for which the Son of God became incarnate,

In

was in order to suffer, as a sacrifice acceptable to God therefore it is said here, that "He truly suffered, was crucified, dead, and buried, that He might reconcile His Father to us," and make a sufficient atonement, both for original and actual guilt. In the first place, we look into the nature of that ruin which Christ came to repair, and we find it comprehensive of the most fearful extent of spiritual and moral degradation. Original guilt is that corruption which we have by entail from Adam. Actual guilt is that perpetration of sin, which follows this original corruption, and which is committed by all men descended from our fallen parent. In both these cases, God is to be considered as justly incensed against man. his original, he is an unclean and alienated creature, therefore not such an one as Jehovah can behold complacently: and in his actual offences, he is covered with defilement, brought upon him day after day, through the voluntary fulfilment of those evil passions, that move him to transgress. Reconciliation to God is neither desired, nor sought, by the rebel: he loves to wander, and he has no heart for God: could he desire such benefit, or sigh after peace with Him, he has nothing wherewith he may approach: all his condition is ruin, and provocation; and God is too pure to behold iniquity, and too just to accept by compromise any amends that might be proposed for the breach of His law. Divine perfections will ever remain in their glorious

sanctity; and, therefore, all hope of inheriting a blessing from God, from any thing producible by man, must die for ever. The sacrifice must be provided by God himself; and no less a propitiation could suffice, than that holy Lamb, whose sinless nature and glorious person we have now been contemplating. We have seen that Christ filled the office of surety for His people: in consequence, some of the debts for which He stood responsible must be paid in His heart's blood, and in the sufferings of hell seizing upon His soul for this was what man stood exposed to endure; and we behold Him in consequence carried to judgment, condemned, crucified, as a malefactor, and at the same time enduring the horrors of internal darkness, the withdrawment of the Father's countenance, and the bitterest pains of desolation in His mind! All this belonged to the offering of sacrifice, for which he was set apart, and to which He had consecrated Himself; and very interesting is the consideration, that Christ, in this one offering, was in Himself, Priest, sacrifice, and altar,-thus presenting a peculiar, mysterious, and available offering, through the perfection of which the divine attributes were glorified, and appeased! So infinitely meritorious was the sacrifice, that it prevailed for the most extensive benefits, and the most sublime wonders: by it righteousness and peace, justice and truth, met together, and could embrace in the purpose of life to man: by